Morning journal and courier., 1887-04-15
FROM ALL QUARTERS. A PARADISE FOR CROOKS. Jamestown In The Hands
 Of Burglars. A DISASTROUS ROCK SLIDE. The Remains Of Abraham
 Lincoln Removed. AMERICAS GOOD GRAY POET. BOstOn's Substitute For
 Elevated Roads.
IT THE MERCY OF BURGLARS.

AT THE MERCY OF BURGLARS. Sixteen Thousand People and Mil-
 lions of Property Protected only by
 Three men-A Reign of Terror i'm
 Jamestown and the Citizens Arming
 For Safety.
 JAMESTOWN, N. Y, April 14.-Nearly year ago the village of Jamestown became an incorporated city. Since that time there has been no code of local laws or city ordinances owing to the non-procurement of city char ter, the preparation of which has been de- layed again and agaiu. To-day the city has g population of sixteen thousand people, but the place is in the same condition in regard to local laws and ordinances as the hamlets and villages of few hundred inhabitants. There is but one policeman to guard the town in the daytime and at night two men watch over the lives of sixteen thousand people and protect millions of dollars of property. When this state of affairs became known to the gamblers and crooks of other cities they be- gan hocking here in large numbers. During the past few months dozen gambling rooms have been in operation and fifty sporting wo- men and several hundred gamblers, crooks and blacklegs have congregated here. Two weeks ago series of burglaries began which have continued nightly. Last Satur- day morning Merchant A. R. Catlin shot and killed Chester w. Green, one of large gang of burglars. Green was caught in the act of entering Catlin's house. This act of justif- able homicide did not seem to have the de- sired effect upon the burglars and crooks as robberies and burglaries have occurred nightly since the killing of Green. The two night policemen have been powerless and the entire city has been and is virtually at the mercy of an organized band of thieves. Last night twenty citizens met and volunteered their services as a special patrol. Notwith- standing these precautions a citizen was attacked by two highwaymen at 9 o'clock last evening and knocked down. The thieves were frightened away by his cries. Four houses were entered last night and this morning between 1 and 2 o'clock burglars entered the house of MT. Broadway, who lives at No. AZ Hazard street. The thieves tried to gain admittance through a kitchen door, using a chisel and jimmy. Failing in this they pried up the bottom of front window, but could not gain admit tance. They then tried the front door and succeeded in boring hole through the wood and turning the key with nipper. MT. Brock
 
 fall and leaped to his feet. As he reached the door of the sitting room the burglars seized him around the waist. A desperate struggle ensued. MT. Brockway's night shirt was torn into shreds and he was hurled against the bedroom door. He says that the burglar threw him against the door 8 second time and the last time sent spray of chlo- roform into his face. The burglars then fled out of the front fdoor, which was open. Brockway's pantaloons were found on the floor with the pockets turned inside out. The town is so thoroughly frightened not. gone to bed for many nights. There is a perfect reign of terror. Every citizen goes armed and one can scarce ly buy revolver in town. Tonight the Eagle Hose company volunteered their ser vices special patrol and vigilance com mittee is being formed. The thieves are becoming so bold that they openly tell the solitary day policeman of intended raids. More burglaries are expected to night and it is more thsn probable that the thieves will be shot on sight if caught in the act of house. breaking. Not in years has there been so much excitement here. A tour of the hardware and gun stores tonight reveals the fact that the stock of locks and bolts and guns and revolvers in the city is ex- hausted. Dealers have sent to Buffalo for additional supplies. One business man who purchased a revolver to-day remarked that this was the first revolver he had ever bought. The deputy sheriffs in charge of the citizens patrol are inclined to think the burglaries are being committed by fine haired gang distributed in groups and stop ping at the hotels. One noted New York thief and four pals are at fashionable boarding house and four we'll known Buffalo crooks at another. sAt special session of the city council to night $100 reward was offered for every burglar captured. This of fer is made to any citizen whether on patrol duIY or not.